Some players left out in cold after CA unveils contract list

MITCHELL Starc and Matthew Wade were the big winners and David Hussey the biggest loser when Cricket Australia unveiled its list of contracted players for 2013-14 yesterday.

Despite increasing the number of contracts from 17 last year to 20, Hussey was the only player omitted from the list.

Brother Michael and former skipper Ricky Ponting were also dropped off after they retired from international cricket during the summer.

The six new players to receive full contracts were George Bailey, Ed Cowan, James Faulkner, Phillip Hughes, Glenn Maxwell and Clint McKay.

National selector John Inverarity said several players had only just missed out.

"Jackson Bird, Moises Henriques, Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith were all very close to making this contract list," Inverarity said.

"We expect them to take opportunities that are presented across formats to represent Australia and make a case for an upgrade to a CA contract as the year unfolds."

Given they play all three formats of the game, Starc and Wade would have earned significantly upgraded deals, with Starc's performances with bat and ball expected to have earned him a contract in excess of $1million.

Inverarity defended the inclusion of just one player from Queensland - Ryan Harris - and one from Western Australia - Mitchell Johnson - saying selectors "don't take any notice of where players are from".

Inverarity also said while the 20 contracted players would be first in line for a spot on the Ashes tour of England, a number of other players would also be strongly considered.

He named Smith, WA batsman Adam Voges, Tasmanian batsman Alex Doolan, Tassie keeper/batsman Tim Paine and Victorian leg spinner Fawad Ahmed among the players outside the contract list to be in the picture for a ticket to England.

"Fawad Ahmed is a player of significant interest - we're waiting quietly for his qualifications," Inverarity said.

The 31-year-old leg-spinner, who said he left his native Pakistan after being targeted by Muslim extremists, was given a permanent visa to remain in Australia in November after Immigration Minister Chris Bowen personally intervened in the case.

To be eligible to play for Australia in the Ashes, Ahmed needs his citizenship fast-tracked so he can secure an Australian passport.

Otherwise, under International Cricket Council rules he will not become available until August 18, just before the fifth Test at the Oval.